Verdict

There is no question that WESTERN WHISKY has the ability to win a race like this off his current mark. He fell over a shorter trip here last month, when subsequent Ludlow second Pascha D'Oudairies unseated his rider in the ensuing melee, but normally works out a way to get from one side of a fence to the other and there are question marks over most of his rivals here. Raise You Five has been well beaten in both starts so far this season, while Mallusk has been off the track since March and is trying a new trip. Star Player is thrown in on his old form but still seems to be lacking a little confidence.

Formwatch

Raise You Five (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up, hit 8th, mistakes 10th and 11th, weakened next, tailed off, 5th of 7, 44l behind Take It There (11-5) at Hereford 2m 5f mares hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.

Mallusk (IRE) 13-8 (11-6) Led, jumped slighty left 1st, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Drumshambo (10-13) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.

Western Whisky (FR) 11-2 (11-6) Held up in 4th when fell heavily 5th, in a race won by Fine Parchment (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov, 6 ran.

Pacha D'Oudairies (FR) 17-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, behind 10th, went remote 4th 3 out, left 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 29l behind Holmwood Legend (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.

Star Player (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 10th, challenged when mistake 3 out, ridden approaching next, one pace from last, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Overquest (11-5) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov.

Portside (IRE) 28-1 (11-9) In rear, mistake and hampered 6th, not fluent 9th, lost touch next, pulled up before 12th, in a race won by Azulada Bay (11-8) at Ludlow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov, 9 ran.